Town of Roy's only library slated for closure
ROY, Wash. -- For hundreds of kids in this small Pierce County town, the public library is a valued resource.
But due to massive budget cuts, the town's only library may soon be forced to close its doors.
The local children are desperate to save the library. Many of them can't afford books, let alone a computer of their own.
With a population of only 870, the library is also a safe place for kids to gather with friends.
"We're all just doing whatever we can to keep this library open," said Katie Davis.
Mayor Karen Yates says the poor economy decimated her town, forcing her to cut and slash every bit of her budget that's not a matter of life and death including the library.
"When we were done, we were left with $252 in the general fund," said Yates.
The library is currently open just three days of the week, and the next closest library is 10 miles down the road.
"They don't have public transportation in this town, either, so they can't go to another source," Yates said. "We also have adults doing mandatory signing on for unemployment at the library in the afternoons."
In an attempt to save their beloved library, local kids rallied and held a yard sale over the weekend. Some browsed through the clothes and knickknacks for sale while others simply handed over a donation.
A local woman known as "Grandma B" put in $100 and even brought the kids a sack of donuts.
But despite the locals' generosity, the kids were still hundreds of dollars short at the end of the day on Sunday.
The town needs $1,800 to keep the library open until January. So far the kids have raised less than half of that.
Anyone who'd like to donate is urged to contact the library by phone at (253) 843-2331or
via e-mail.
But due to massive budget cuts, the town's only library may soon be forced to close its doors.
The local children are desperate to save the library. Many of them can't afford books, let alone a computer of their own.
With a population of only 870, the library is also a safe place for kids to gather with friends.
"We're all just doing whatever we can to keep this library open," said Katie Davis.
Mayor Karen Yates says the poor economy decimated her town, forcing her to cut and slash every bit of her budget that's not a matter of life and death including the library.
"When we were done, we were left with $252 in the general fund," said Yates.
The library is currently open just three days of the week, and the next closest library is 10 miles down the road.
"They don't have public transportation in this town, either, so they can't go to another source," Yates said. "We also have adults doing mandatory signing on for unemployment at the library in the afternoons."
In an attempt to save their beloved library, local kids rallied and held a yard sale over the weekend. Some browsed through the clothes and knickknacks for sale while others simply handed over a donation.
A local woman known as "Grandma B" put in $100 and even brought the kids a sack of donuts.
But despite the locals' generosity, the kids were still hundreds of dollars short at the end of the day on Sunday.
The town needs $1,800 to keep the library open until January. So far the kids have raised less than half of that.
Anyone who'd like to donate is urged to contact the library by phone at (253) 843-2331or
via e-mail.